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Famciclovir is indicated for the treatment of herpes zoster (shingles),[6] treatment of herpes simplex virus 2 (genital herpes),[7] herpes labialis (cold sores) in immunocompetent patients[8] and for the suppression of recurring episodes of herpes simplex virus 2. It is also indicated for treatment of recurrent episodes of herpes simplex in HIV patients.

Several studies in humans and mice provide evidence that early treatment with famciclovir soon after the first infection with herpes can significantly lower the chance of future outbreaks. Use of famciclovir in this manner has been shown to reduce the amount of latent virus in the neural ganglia compared to no treatment or treatment with valaciclovir.[9][10][11] A review of human subjects treated for five days with famciclovir 250 mg three times daily during their first herpes episode found that only 4.2 percent experienced a recurrence within six months after the first outbreak, a fivefold decrease compared to the 19 percent recurrence in acyclovir-treated patients.[12] Neither drug affected latency if treatment was delayed for several months.[13]

^Thackray AM, Field HJ (October 2000). "The effects of antiviral therapy on the distribution of herpes simplex virus type 1 to ganglionic neurons and its consequences during, immediately following and several months after treatment". The Journal of General Virology. 81 (Pt 10): 2385–2396. doi:10.1099/0022-1317-81-10-2385. PMID10993926.